“How did you two even end up together? You’re so different.”
“On a dare,” she said, remembering the way Marshall had challenged her to one date. “‘One date,’ he said. ‘Give me one date and see what happens.’ What happened was that I kept trying to be the person he wanted, and it was a big mistake.”
“He’s a fool. I love who you are, Pipe.” He turned his handsome face toward her and said, “When I look at you, I see the brazen blonde who strutted into the pub those first few weeks I was back and took the time to ask about how my family and I were doing. The girl who showed up with a plow on the front of her truck after every snowstorm because she said she was in the area and thought she’d clear the parking lot—and then proceeded to go to my mother’s and sister’s houses to make sure their driveways were clear. I see the woman who helped me see the light on some of my saddest days after I lost my dad and wasn’t sure I’d ever be happy again.”
She was getting all choked up again.
“I see the woman who has spent three years giving me hell about everything from sports to the way I pour her drinks. The woman who I thought was kidding when she told me she was going to join me and the guys for a game of basketball, then proved why she was damn near better than all of us.” His gaze moved slowly over her face, and then he said, “When I look at you, I can’t see past you. You’re all I see.”
The emotions in his voice and in his eyes felt as tangible as the man beside her. She wrapped her arms around one of his and rested her head on his shoulder. “Your brother never saw me at all.”
He pressed a kiss to her head and reeled in his fishing line.
“Thank you again for tonight, and for all the gifts, and dinner, and talking. I love this night. If I were the type of girl to dream about romantic nights, this would be on the top of my dream list. You did good, Dutch. Like our first da—Oh my gosh! You never opened your present.”
“Present?” he asked, setting his fishing pole aside.
“Yes! I totally forgot I brought you one!” She jumped to her feet to retrieve his gift, and he moved to the bench seats.
She stood before him, nerves tingling as she fidgeted with the gift. “When I got you this, I didn’t expect to find you on the boat with a big surprise planned. It seems silly now, but in my defense, I’m new at choosing boyfriend gifts.”
He pulled her down to his lap, and his strong arms circled her. She loved how he always wanted her right there with him.
“Babe, you got me something and it’s not my birthday. You can’t possibly know how much this means to me, no matter what it is.”
“Oh yes I can,” she said, looking at the rosebush and all the wonderful gifts he’d given her. “You say that now, but this gift isn’t nearly as good as all the things you gave me.”
She handed him the gift and held her breath as he opened the framed picture of them from their first date, when they were on the kiss cam. They were sticking out their tongues and wiggling their hands with the hang-loose hand gesture. She’d written World’s Best First Date on the frame with a Sharpie, and she’d used Photoshop to add Piper + Harley and the date to the picture.
Laughter bubbled out of him. “Babe, this is fantastic!”
She was elated by his response. “Since you have those pictures of us on your fridge, I thought you should have one of us now that we’re a couple.”
“I can’t get over this. It’s awesome!” He was smiling so hard, his whole face brightened. “How did you get it?”
“I found the nerd-reel footage on YouTube and took a screenshot. Then I added our names and the date using Photoshop.”
“I love it, and I love that you took the time to find the picture, added the text, and wrote on the frame. I want another one for my desk at Dutch’s and a big one to hang up behind the bar.”
“You are not doing that,” she said with a laugh. “Nobody wants to see us being fools.”
“Oh, I’m doing it.” He set the picture down and said, “Right after I do you.”
In the next breath she was lying on the bench, pinned beneath his big, delicious body, and he was gazing down at her with a wicked glint in his eyes, like he wanted to gobble her up.
And boy, did she want him to.
His mouth swooped down, capturing hers urgently, igniting the inferno that was always simmering between them. He made guttural, appreciative noises, each one amping up her arousal. His hands moved roughly over her body from breast to hip and back up again, touching her like he couldn’t get enough and was powerless to hold anything back. He rocked his hard shaft against her center, creating exquisite friction that had her angling her body and bowing up beneath him to catch every second of it. He broke their kisses off and stripped off her shirt, groaning at the sight of her bare breasts. She’d never tire of the way he adored her breasts. His desire sent fire and something bigger through her veins, and she pushed at his shirt. He stripped it off and lowered his mouth over one breast, sucking so hard she felt it between her legs.
“Oh, Harley—”
“Fuck, baby. When you do that it makes me want to tear off your clothes and take you hard.”
“Do it,” she demanded.
He reached between them and struggled with her button-fly jeans. They were an old pair, and difficult to undo. She took over, and they both stood and stripped off their clothes. He grabbed the box of condoms. As he opened the box, she pushed his chest, sending him down to his ass on the bench. Every second seemed like an eternity as he tore open the condom. She stood before him, knowing how much he loved seeing her touch herself, and put her hand between her legs as he sheathed his length. He reached for her, curling his big hand around the curve of her hip, drawing her to him. His eyes flamed as she straddled him. She didn’t even try to stifle the moan that escaped as she sank down on his thick cock. He grabbed her ass with both hands as she rode him hard and fast. When his mouth clamped down over her breast, she nearly came, but she held back. She loved riding him, taking him so deep the mix of pain and pleasure sent electricity arcing through her. Her thoughts fractured as he sucked and fucked until she was barely breathing. Her entire body felt like one raw nerve. He brought one hand between them, expertly stroking the spot that sent the world careening away. She bucked and thrust as he clamped his hands around her waist, helping her move faster along his shaft, extending and magnifying her pleasure. Her vision blurred, their moans and groans filling the air as he took control and sent her soaring again. She cried out his name and he was right there with her.
“Piper, fuck, Piper . . .”
They rode out their pleasure to the very last shudder and collapsed in each other’s arms. Their breathing was erratic, their hearts pounding frantically as they lay bound together in the blissful aftermath of their lovemaking.
Sometime later, when her vision finally cleared, Piper rested her head on Harley’s shoulder, their bodies still connected, as she panted out, “Where have you been all my life?”
“Right here, Pipe.” His hot breath swept across her neck. “Always right here.”
Lord help her. She didn’t just love that night.
She was falling in love with Harley Dutch.
CHAPTER TWENTY
MOTHER’S DAY MORNING arrived with sunshine and the promise of a warm day, and Piper’s family was celebrating with brunch at Willow and Zane’s house. Everyone was there, including Bodhi’s mother, Alisha, and Aurelia’s grandmother, Flossie, who had stepped in to raise Aurelia after Aurelia’s mother had died during childbirth. Remi and Mason, honorary members of the Dalton family, were also there. Piper sat at the patio table with Emerson on her lap, feeling Harley’s absence like a missing limb. He would get a kick out of Bea toddling across the yard after Louie, who was blowing bubbles. Every few steps, Bea plopped onto her bottom, giggling. It had been a week and a half since their romantic night on the boat, and in that time Piper’s feelings had taken root and blossomed so completely, she was having trouble keeping them in check.
> Being around her family and friends, who literally emanated love, wasn’t helping.
Piper pressed a kiss to the top of Emerson’s head, inhaling her sweet baby scent. Her light brown hair was fine as silk, and she had Bodhi’s serious dark eyes. Piper had been thinking about what Harley had said about having children. She knew how badly he wanted a family, but until he’d come into her life as the man in her life, she hadn’t thought too much about wanting children of her own. She loved babies and children, but fitting them into her busy life would be complicated. That used to be enough to stop her from thinking about it. But now she couldn’t stop analyzing her feelings on the topic. Every time she thought about having children with Harley, she imagined him with their babies in his arms, the joy she knew he’d exude, and her insides fluttered. She hadn’t realized how easy it was to get carried away with a fantasy when her heart was involved. She was getting way ahead of herself.
She tried to push away those thoughts and focus on the conversation around the table. Flossie was talking a mile a minute, sharing stories about her favorite Mother’s Day moments. Across the table, Ben and Aurelia fed each other grapes, stealing kisses between bites. This was Aurelia’s first Mother’s Day as Bea’s adoptive mother, and Ben had given her diamond earrings in the shape of the letter B. Piper had enjoyed teasing her brother about who that B actually stood for. His love for Aurelia and their daughter was an incredible thing to watch.
And . . . Now she was thinking about Harley and kids again.
Remi sat on Mason’s lap in the chair next to Ben, and across the yard, Derek and Talia sat shoulder to shoulder at a picnic table beneath a big oak tree with Derek’s father, Jonah, chatting with Bridgette, Bodhi, and Alisha. Bodhi had his arm around Bridgette, and their heads were touching, as if they were sharing secrets. Piper thought of Harley and the way he often touched his forehead to hers or rested it on her shoulder when he was still perched above her after they made love. She liked those intimate touches, and damn it, he should be there with them. He was her other half, just as important as Zane, Derek, Bodhi, or Mason. He felt like family, too. She should have invited him, or gone with him to celebrate with his family. She would not make that mistake again.
Willow laughed, drawing Piper’s attention to the blanket where she and Zane were lying, holding hands and looking up at the sky. Zane leaned over and kissed her, driving Piper’s longing even deeper.
“And then there was the time Aurelia made me a special Mother’s Day shirt in second grade with finger paints.” Flossie looked around the table with an impish grin.
Flossie was tiny at just under five feet, but her personality and flair for fashion made her seem bigger than life. Today she wore a pair of black culottes with a bright yellow blouse and a colorful fabric belt tied around her waist. Her makeup was perfectly applied, and her long silver hair was braided and secured in a bun on the top of her head. Piper couldn’t imagine putting all that energy into clothes, hair, or makeup, but Flossie made it look easy.
“All the other mothers were wearing shirts with colorful streaks all over them, but not me,” Flossie said, eyeing Aurelia. “I was the talk of the town when I wore my shirt with a bright green handprint over each breast. It was spectacular, and I wore it proudly.”
Everyone laughed.
Aurelia covered her face and said, “I will never live that down.”
“Nonsense, bubbelah.” Flossie reached across the table and patted Aurelia’s hand. “You mean nobody else’s child will ever live up to your perfect artwork.”
Piper’s father cleared his throat. He was sitting at the head of the table, looking at Ben. “There was a time when Ben tried his hand at painting.”
“Do not go there, Dad,” Ben said sternly.
Aurelia said, “Now you have to tell us.”
“Dad,” Ben warned, glowering at their father.
Their father held up his hands in surrender. “The man has spoken, and he can withhold a grandchild if I don’t listen.”
Piper rolled her eyes and said, “Ben and Zane got into Dad’s paints in the basement. They stripped naked and painted the walls, the floors, and each other.”
Everyone laughed, except Ben, who looked like he wanted to scalp Piper.
“What’s so funny?” Zane asked as he and Willow joined them.
“We were just talking about the day Piper streaked down Main Street,” Ben said with a victorious grin.
Piper scowled at him. She’d only recently learned that her mother had known about that particular indiscretion, but by the wide-eyed look her father was giving her, he must have been kept in the dark. “It was on a dare, and it was dark out. I’m sure no one saw me.”
Willow crouched in front of Piper to play with Emerson and said, “Except Marshall.”
“Whatever,” Piper said.
“Does Harley know about this naked street romp?” Ben asked, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I bet he’d like to.”
“It was not a romp!” Piper exclaimed.
“Benjamin.” Their father shook his head, and Ben set the phone on the table.
Piper had no idea if Harley knew about her streaking, or if he’d care after all these years. All she knew for sure was that after nearly a month of spending every free minute with him, it sucked being apart. Those feelings made her a little anxious, and snappy. She snagged two of Emerson’s toys from the table—a plastic horse and a noisy cloth doll that made different sounds depending on where she touched—and said, “On that note, I think I’ll take a walk with Emerson.”
She sauntered over to Ben and bent to speak in his ear. “The only reason I’m letting that comment go is because you had my back with Harley. Watch yourself, because I know your secrets.” She didn’t, but the worry in Ben’s eyes was exactly what she’d hoped for.
“Ben, remember that girl you kissed behind the stage in sixth grade? The one who ran away laughing?” Zane teased as Piper walked away.
Piper strolled around the yard with Emerson, trying to weed through her thoughts, which was difficult with her adorable, apple-cheeked niece pulling on her hair and making sweet baby noises. “Can’t you be annoying or something? It’s hard to stop thinking about babies and futures when you’re so freaking cute.”
She crossed the yard and set Emerson on the blanket Willow and Zane had abandoned, settling in across from her. Emerson was adorable in a pink shirt and white leggings. Her pudgy little feet were bare, and Piper couldn’t resist tickling them. Emerson’s giggles filled the air.
“Uncle Harley would sure get a kick out of you.”
Uncle Harley . . .
She kept telling herself she didn’t want to change, but she wasn’t sure she had control of that anymore. She never thought she’d want to disregard her steadfast rule about keeping her home man-free, but the night she and Harley had gone out on the boat, she’d been this close to inviting him to stay over. But when she’d tried, she’d gotten nervous and had let it go.
She’d thought about asking him every single day since. She wanted to, but their lives were so in sync, she didn’t want to take a chance of rocking the boat. Staying at his place had become a given rather than an exception, and she liked it that way. She liked having her things there, showering in his new bathroom—which was gorgeous and a much more reasonable size for Harley—and knowing she’d wake up in his arms. She felt herself smiling as she thought of the way they slept, tangled up like they were one being. It seemed impossible that she’d gone from thrashing around in her bed to snuggling a man all night long.
Impossibly wonderful.
But it was not only possible; it was real. She couldn’t imagine her life without Harley, or even Jiggs, in it, but if she invited him to spend the night at her house, in her bed, it would take away the only place she could hide if things went bad between them.
She saw her father heading her way and wondered if she and Harley could ever be as lucky as her parents were. To wake up thirty-plus years from now to grayer, wrinkl
ed versions of themselves who were even more in love than ever. She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening with the thought.
“Mind if I sit with you?” her father asked.
“Not at all.”
He sat beside her and waved at Emerson, who was chewing on her plastic horse, watching them. “She sure has changed, hasn’t she? Sitting up, curious about everything. I swear they change fast at this age. Look at Bea, already walking. Time sure flew by.” He motioned toward the picnic table, where Bea was toddling around the table, stopping at each person and patting their legs. Louie was sitting on Jonah’s lap waving his hands like he was telling a story.
“When do all those fast changes stop?” Piper asked. “It seems like we go through our lives, changing this way or that, but one day we wake up and we know exactly who we are. Like everything is suddenly set and we know what paths we’re supposed to take and where we’ll end up. When is that, do you think?”
“I think it’s different for everyone. You changed a lot in high school, but Bridgette, for example, knew exactly who she was from the time she was a little girl. She found different parts of herself as her life changed, but she’s still the risk taker who ran away to marry a musician, and she always will be.”
“But she’s given up so much of herself and her freedom to be where she is.”
Piper didn’t feel like she’d given up a thing to be with Harley, and she felt lucky because of it. Their friendship had given them a rock-solid foundation, putting them years ahead of most couples, who learned about each other while dating. By the time they’d come together as a couple, they already knew what they had in common, how they differed, and what they liked—loved?—about each other. But they didn’t have children, and she knew that would change everything.
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